Even though I am DONE with Christmas cards for the time being (give me a week or so...I'm keeping my eye on Christmas challenges *grin*), I had to make yet ONE more because this sweet Memory Box die joined my collection, just before we left to visit my family. Curtain Call's recent Milk and Cookies challenge inspired the colours, however, the gallery closed before I was ready. Even so, I want to acknowledge the fabulous inspiration photo...

I have itsy-bitsy gingerbreads, too...

The sun caught the top part of the card...a 'rare' daylight photo opportunity.

I'm being rather lazy these days...crafting a bit, catching up on chores, reading (a fabulous new mystery...). and undertaking much-needed organization, especially my pile of scrap bits of paper. Am I the only one who keeps the teensy-weensiest snippets...just in case? Call me packrat...

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday evening and so grateful that you found a moment to drop by!

Monday, December 28, 2015

Oh, how I hope that everyone had a most Merry Christmas! We most certainly did, even though it was bittersweet in this being the first Christmas without my Pa; we know he was with us in spirit, helping us to arrive safely and in time to take my mom to Christmas Eve mass. Of course, any and all time with family, especially my mom, niece and nephew - is priceless! We played with Mr. C's cool new Hot Wheels track (the loop-de-loop one), washed Ms. T's Barbie's fancy pink car at the 'car wash stand' (after decorating it, of course), made Lego cars, created Perler beads flowers, butterflies and hearts, coloured stained glass images, watched my brother make shrink art (apparently he has a crafty-streak in him as well!), coloured ginormous pictures of Frozen characters with new markers, painted with new water-colour pencils...and that was just the first hour *grin*. Fun, frolic, festivity...and we enjoyed every. single. moment (except the coming home part, which happened yesterday...pouting!).

I'm making my debut with this challenge so please...be kind *grin* The DT cards are ever so pretty, which is sometimes a tad daunting, but...I gave the sketch a go....and another go...and yet another. I "think" the first two have all the sketch elements present, whereas the third...well, it's a kinda-sorta 'close' attempt. The Santa *had* to play...

Aside from a couple of banner dies, everything is Reverse Confetti...and guess what? I still have more for another play date....

Given the wild weather happening in various parts of the world, my hope is that wherever you may be, you and your loved ones are safe! Sending prayers....

Thank you for spending part of your day with me; your visit brightens my day.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

We're heading to see my family in an hour and I am beside myself excited, although a "white" Christmas is making an appearance! Hopefully, the snow won't hinder our journey...I have mom to take to a Christmas Eve celebration and some niece-and-nephew hugs (and gifts) to deliver! Before I finish off packing, I'm sharing the remainder of the *interactive* Advent Coundown that I created for Ms. T and Mr. C. Just a reminder of the nature of this little series: each day includes two tags, a couple of images and the whole kit and kaboodle tucked into little bags - aka "kits" - for the kids to make. Tag 17, for example, has two mugs for them to glue down and an accompanying pair of mugs for them colour as they wish; Tag 18 has a coloured mini tag of candy canes to place, with a background of candy canes awaiting their special touches, and so on...What you see in the photos are my 'placed, but not adhered' Aunty C versions of what the tags might look like. What they "will" look like...who knows? A five year old and a three year old are in charge of that!! Yes, some of the die cuts and embellishments might be challenging for them to work with but hey...mommy and daddy are part of the process, too, right? Right!

Anyway...here's Part Two of my Advent project for two of the loves of my life. Days 1-16 are here.

All the tags are from the Stitched Mainstreet collection from Poppy Stamps, and images...well, you'll see the assortment.

Some mugs to glue down and some mugs to colour...

A candy cane mini tag and some candy canes that need some red (or pink, or purple)...

A couple of inked stockings waiting to be hung, and a couple more awaiting niece-and

nephew stylin'...

Mrs. Claus with a cocoa and cookies treat...and a couple extra Mrs. Claus's and cocoas

to be coloured and placed who knows where *grin*

Santa suit...this is a one-piece number as the bits are somewhat fiddly;

placement required though.

A wee sheep who has his lights in a tangle and hat on backwards (the kids

will get a giggle out of that) and another set of sheep, hats and bow for the little artists...

RC Snowflake, made with fun foam! Aunty C had fun with that one! I've adhered the

small bits, leaving the 'peel and stick' task for the kids.

The 'tag' is from Sugar Pea Designs; the Santa from ME. The kids can write their

name on the recipient line and check off the *naughty* box...tee hee. Again, another Santa

and gift to do with as they please.

Simple...the essence of Christmas. Hope they like colouring the Blessed Family.

And...it's a wrap! THANK YOU so much for your patience in strolling through my 'attempt to be creative' Advent project for my niece and nephew. I'll share photos of how the Countdown turned out soon. Excited to see the magic 'they' created. To all my wonderful friends in this community: wishing you a most joyous Merry Christmas, filled with special moments shared with family and friends! Enjoyevery. single. moment. Thank you for sharing your 'presence' in my life; I treasure the gift of your friendship deeply!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Dashing in last minute to *play cards* with sweet Michele Ferguson, who has dazzled us with this adorable elf-and-Santa over at Muse Challenge #146. Brilliant...as is everything Michele does!
Here's her gem

and I'm joining in with two...

Colours (the obvious red, white and black, as well as the gold from the elf's jingle bell hat tassel, seen in my stars and the green from his outfit and holly, seen in my angel's hairband. Looks like their both brunettes, too!), whimsical images, Santa *presence*: these are my connections to Michele's card.

Hope you like my duo, my friend!

I'm still working on Christmas cards (family ones, mainly) and loving every moment of doing so! Still have stuff to use *grin*

Hope you're enjoying this festive season...and remember...breathe in...and out...innnnnn and ouuutttttt...Thank you for the gift of your visit today!

Oh yes...speaking of 'whimsical'...Cornelia, from Stempel Spass, had a video on her blog here and I've listened to it about 500 times. Seriously! Those reindeers...way toooo cute! Love it! If you're feeling a bit *Bah, Humbug*, this will make you smile...

Given that for the last 8 million weeks I've been doing nothing else but Christmas, this challenge is a challenge! But I managed (she says, sheepishly). See...

I know...I'm the goofball on this DT! In my defense, I did follow the rules: not a Christmas card (although used a Christmas-themed set). In fact, I also used the challenge 'title' and, purely by fluke, wound up using the challenge badge colours. I almost went with a green background and red bow but slapped my hand before doing so!

If you're caught up in the hustle and bustle that comes with this wonderful season, and are feeling a little 'Bah Humbug', then this card's for you! Warm fuzzies coming your way!

Hope my card made EWE smile!

We have one slight change in this challenge: since we're not taking a Christmas break (nope, uh uh, not us...), we ask that you submit only one entry, please.

Looking forward to seeing your *Bah, Humbug* inspired card in the gallery! Enjoy the next week...Christmas countdown is on!!

Thank you so much for dropping in during this busy time! So appreciated!!

Got your cards made and mailed? Gifts wrapped? Home decorated and baking done? Me...none of the above! I am, however, nearly done making and mailing cards (except for my family's, which will be delivered when we visit next weekend); nearly done with my gifts (we give presents to our niece and nephew, following the "Something they want, something they need, something to read" rules. Ms. Niece is getting a box filled with crafting things as one of her 'somethings' and Mr. Nephew likely getting Lego. Kids *need* Lego! The books are ready to be wrapped, too!); sort of done with decorating, and because our place is small, I can't do very much. As for baking...aside from baking cookies to tide us over for the next few days, I'm leaving the sweet treats to my mom. Her shortbread is *the* best!

Anyway....today, my amazing DT and I invite you to join us in playing at Tag, You're It #37, where your wondering eyes will behold this dazzling beauty Donna created for us. Classy and exquisite!

As you'll see on the challenge site, my team mates have designed stunning translations of Donna's tag. Me...well, perhaps mine's not so 'elegant' but kind of fun and, I hope, a little bit pretty! I wanted to use a clear tag base, but...nothing in my limited stash fit the bill. I wanted a clear feature, so I adapted...and my rendition looks like this:

My PTI candy corn shaker, transformed (and a challenge to photograph, with the snowflake placed along the edge)! I drew inspiration from Donna's tag with:

Sunday, December 13, 2015

I'm back, evidently making up for the near-silence of last week! Two cards to share this go-round, inspired by Joan's pretty - and last - card over at Muse Challenge #145. Joan, you'll be missed here!

Here's her card...

and here are my translations. If you saw my previous post, I had a 'thing' going on today with my snowflakes embossing folder (at least my nearly done-in cuttlebug still manages to emboss reasonably well. We won't talk about how its faring with die-cutting...s a whole lot of cranking forward and back, forward and back happening...and even then, few cuts are fully successful. I've resorted to using a metal shim and cardstock along with the plates! Myight bicep will be looking like Popeye's, if these keeps up. Hello, Santa...I'm trying to be good..ish...). Anyway...

Both cards draw inspiration from Joan's textured panel, circle and wreath elements, and pink/green combination with a snippet of black.

A piece of transparency over the window gives the Noel some stability...

Here, peace is stacked three die-cuts high...

Joan, thank you for this inspiration card and for all those in previous Muse Challenges. Wishing you wonderful journeys wherever you're headed next. Good thing we know where to find you...

Hello,I'm flying in just under the wire to get my card in for today's National Cocoa Day celebration, which is part of the bigger enterprise - hostessed by our wonderful Amy T and her fabulous crew - the 2015 Winter/HOLIDAY COFFEE LOVERS BLOG HOP.

On the main blog, Amy comments that she is "floored with the generosity of this AWESOME Paper Crafting Community!" Well, I think I speak for most of us in saying that we're FLOORED by you, Amy. The time, energy and creativity you invest in putting on these events where we're given a chance to play and win outstanding prizes is remarkable. You're a gem, my friend!

Anyway, here's my very straightforward card...a snowflake embossing folder, which seems to have been my go to item today, as you'll see in my next quick post, and two mugs of cocoa from MFT's Merry Christmoose set.

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Welcome

Welcome to "Just Me: c", my work-in-progress, new learning space where I dabble in the 'art of the card.' I'm an enthusiastic amateur, with plenty to learn. Sometimes - okay, often - silly 'what was she thinking' things will appear. Thanks for stopping by...

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